Local News Thursday 19th May

Thursday, 19 May 2022 06:00

Chris Hargreaves (Photo courtesy of Somerset Live)

Yeovil Town have announced that their new manager is Chris Hargreaves. It’s hoped new government legislation to bring empty shops back into use will help rejuvenate Somerset's high streets. An Ilminster man has appeared in court charged with ten offences. Somerset Wildlife Trust has teamed up with National Highways to help give more protection to Dormice. A pub in Somerton has won national recognition for its hospitality...and more.

Yeovil Town have announced that their new manager is Chris Hargreaves who joins the Glovers from Bristol Rovers where he was manager of the Youth Academy. Before that, he was Head Coach at Torquay United. Chris has signed a two-year contract with Yeovil and says he’s delighted to be joining a club that has such a proud history.

It’s hoped new government legislation to bring empty shops back into use will help rejuvenate Somerset's high streets. Roger Smith from Somerset Chamber of Commerce says the empty units in a town centre like Yeovil should be used for things other than retail.

An Ilminster man has appeared in court charged with ten offences. Matthew Barratt of Foundry Close was charged amongst others with two counts of burglary, taking a vehicle without consent, and assaulting an emergency worker, when he appeared at Yeovil Magistrates Court.

Somerset Wildlife Trust has teamed up with National Highways to help give more protection to Dormice. It’s part of the Dormouse Reconnected project that’s aimed at re-connecting populations of the rare hazel dormouse.

A pub in Somerton has won national recognition for its hospitality. The White Hart located in the historic market square in Somerton is described in the new edition of the Sawday’s good pubs guide as a ‘16th-century gem of an Inn’.

Two landscape designers from Bruton are going to this year’s Chelsea Flower Show to raise awareness of re-wilding. Adam Hunt’s and Lulu Urquhart’s entry will focus on beavers and their return to the wild after an absence of 400 years.

A day spa on the Dillington Estate near Ilminster has made it through to the finals of the Professional Beauty Awards. Transformations Hair and Beauty is on a list of six entries shortlisted for the ‘Boutique Salon of the Year’ award.

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Wednesday 29th October

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Tuesday 28th October

Plans have been submitted to build 12 new homes in Chard. A nursery in Yeovil has been rated ‘overall good' by Ofsted. A Somerset mortgage broker has achieved national recognition. A stretch of the M5 at Wellington will be shut every night this week...and more
Monday 27th October

The Unite union has announced four days of strikes by its members at Leonardo in Yeovil. One of Yeovil’s busiest roads is closed to traffic today. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard raised £3,000 taking part in a Sleeping Ruff challenge at the weekend...and more
Friday 24th October

New figures show that 500 young people were either injured or killed on roads in Somerset and Devon last year. The Old School Community Centre in Queen Camel has reopened, thanks to a donation of £10,000 from Somerset Freemasons. Two Fleet Air Arm engineers based at RNAS Yeovilton have recreated a family moment from 26 years ago...and more
Thursday 23rd October

Yeovil-born actress Sarah Parish is supporting efforts to reopen the Octagon theatre. Mobility scooter campaigners in Somerset have welcomed a government review of the legislation governing the use of mobility scooters on public highways. Changes are being made to the dates when garden waste is collected in Somerset...and more
Wednesday 22nd October

A major house builder in the South West says government targets for new house building in Somerset are 'unrealistic'. Pizza Hut is closing its restaurant in Yeovil. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard will be taking part in a ‘Sleeping Ruff’ challenge tomorrow...and more .
Tuesday 21st October

Reckleford in Yeovil is to shut for 15 days for essential drainage works. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has paid out compensation of £23 million for claims related to birth injuries. A Grade II listed building in Glastonbury has been converted into a health and wellbeing centre...and more